Lord Adonis: The Government have set targets for local authorities to increase the numbers of children who are adopted from care. The current target is to increase by 40 per cent. the number of looked-after children who are adopted by 2005 and to exceed this by achieving, if possible, a 50 per cent. increase by 2005–06, from 1999–2000.
	The Government have also set a target to increase to 95 per cent. by 2004–05 the proportion of looked-after children placed for adoption within 12 months of the decision that adoption is in the child's best interests, up from 81 per cent. in 2000–01, and to maintain this level up to 2006.
	Local authorities may also choose to set their own local "stretch" targets for adoption under the local public service agreements (LPSA) scheme at levels beyond the current national target.

Lord Warner: The valuation of the National Health Service Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2003 will be published as part of the NHS Pension Scheme resource accounts in January 2006. This valuation was undertaken solely for the purpose of the Financial Reporting Standard 17 accounting standard. The next full valuation of the NHS Pension Scheme is due for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2004. It is usual, in valuing a scheme comprising almost 2 million active, deferred and pensioner members, that the data validation processes are not completed until well after the end of the valuation period.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total number of responses received to the Department of Health consultation on the smoke-free elements of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill; what proportion supported the white paper proposals to exempt licensed premises and members' clubs; and what proportion supported smoke-free legislation without such exemptions.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: The information requested is set out in the table below.
	
		
			 Year Regular workers Seasonal workers Salaried managers(a) Principal farmers,partners and directors(b) Total 
			  Whole time Part time 
			 1950 37,857(c)   11,406 n/a n/a 49,263 
			 1960 26,262 5,816 6,594 n/a n/a 38,672 
			 1970 13,546 3,775 5,788 n/a 23,314 46,423 
			 1980 8,479 3,723 9,011 300 34,260 55,773 
			 1990 5,881 3,983 8,196 283 35,046 53,389 
			 1995 5,160 4,415 7,666 278 35,492 53,011 
			 2000 3,449 3,357 6,376 400 43,377 56,959 
			 2004 2,779 3,751 5,154 389 44,170 56,243 
		
	
	(a) distinct information relating to salaried managers was not collected until 1972.
	(b) a separate return for principal farmers, partners and directors was introduced in 1970.
	(c) the distinction between whole time and part time workers was not made until 1955.
	Source: Digest of Welsh Historical Statistics.

Lord Bach: There are 83 quarantine facilities that deal with such imports.
	The State Veterinary Service is responsible for inspecting. such premises on behalf of Defra. The State Veterinary Service directly employs over 500 veterinary and animal health inspectors. In addition, a substantial number of vets in private practice are also appointed as inspectors to carry out this work on behalf of the Government.
	Quarantine premises are inspected prior to approval, on arrival of new quarantine consignments, during quarantine periods and prior to release of consignments. In addition, visits will also be made when unexpected illnesses or deaths occur. Ad hoc visits to quarantine premises are also made by government veterinary staff.